Skydivers in sync for 'earth sandwich'

Chuck Berry placed his slice of bread after landing at Raukawa Road in Bridge Pa. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Landing on solid ground after freefalling from 3960m, experienced skydiver Chuck Berry takes a piece of bread from his pocket, butters it on one side and places it on the ground, face down.

His counterpart, Mike McGrath, completes the same ritual in Lillo, Spain, thus making an "earth sandwich" and putting a unique stamp on a world-first skydive in which the two men jumped from planes on opposite sides of the world.

Separated by 12,750km they simultaneously hurtled toward one another at exactly 6.15pm last night.

Berry's aim was to get as close as possible to a pink surveyor's post on farmland up Raukawa Road in Bridge Pa - a feat he achieved with the help of a GPS attached to one arm.

Timing was crucial as the pair had to jump within an hour of civil twilight, where there was enough light for both to be within legal limits.

"You do it once, you do it right," the Queenstown-based daredevil said.

"It's never been done before, [Mike] had some surveying done to make sure we were exactly opposite.

"I used to be a parachute accuracy champion so it's not too much of a challenge."

It was not the most unusual attempt he had made, but Mr Berry certainly became interested when contacted by McGrath six months ago.

"I like looking at the world in a different way and doing new and exciting things," he said.

"I really enjoy being in high places, it gives you a much bigger picture of the planet. Skydiving is easy on the body and good for the mind."

Co-ordinator Marty Lloyd had flown his plane from Masterton to Hawke's Bay to facilitate the record attempt, while talented pilot Bevan Dewes used GPS to pinpoint the correct antipodal point.

The pilots were in radio contact, circling the exit spot, while Mr Berry and Mr McGrath executed a countdown.

Both perspectives of the fall were recorded by the professional skydiving duo and combined in one clip to be posted to YouTube.